Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Thursday called for greater use of space-based technologies to strengthen planning, disaster preparedness, natural resource management and development initiatives in the state.
Mein was speaking at the inaugural programme of the National Space Day 2026 celebrations at Namsai, organised jointly by the Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre (APSAC) and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC).
He said India’s space programme had evolved from an endeavour focused primarily on exploration into a tool for nation-building and improving the lives of citizens.
Satellite-based technologies, remote sensing, GIS and other space applications are increasingly contributing to disaster management, agriculture, natural resource mapping, infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring and governance, he said.
Mein said the relevance of space technology was particularly significant for Arunachal Pradesh because of its vast geographical area, difficult terrain, rich natural resources and vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides, floods and other natural hazards.
He appreciated the participation of students and their interaction with scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
He said, “Such exposure gives young people an opportunity to understand the practical applications of space science while encouraging curiosity, scientific thinking and innovation.”
Mein said continued engagement with ISRO, APSAC and NESAC would help inspire more students from Arunachal Pradesh to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and related fields.
He also highlighted the contribution of APSAC and NESAC in bringing the benefits of space technology to the Northeast. Their work in resource mapping, agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring has considerable potential to support the state’s development priorities, he said.
Later, Mein inspected the site of the upcoming state-of-the-art Science Centre (Category-II) and 10-metre Dome Digital Planetarium (Category-II).
The facility is being developed under the Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPoCS) of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The project is being implemented by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology, serving as the nodal agency in the state.
The Public Works Department, Namsai Division, is the executing agency for construction of the building.
During the inspection, Mein reviewed the construction progress and directed the executing agency to maintain the required quality standards and expedite the work. He urged the PWD to make every effort to complete the building ahead of the scheduled completion date of March 2028 so that the facility can be made operational for students and the public at the earliest.
Mein said the Science Centre and Planetarium would add to the educational and scientific infrastructure of the state. The facility would provide students and citizens with opportunities to engage with science, astronomy and space exploration through interactive learning and modern technological platforms, he said.
He said the project should be viewed as an investment in the future of Arunachal Pradesh, creating an environment where young people can develop curiosity, ask questions, explore new ideas and gain greater exposure to science and technology.
Mein said the state government is committed to creating modern learning spaces and expanding opportunities for young people beyond conventional classrooms. Access to such facilities would help nurture scientific temper, encourage innovation and enable the youth of Arunachal Pradesh to participate more actively in India’s growing technology and knowledge economy, he added.
Mein further said Arunachal Pradesh has immense potential to benefit from advancements in space technology and that the state must continue to strengthen collaboration with national institutions and make greater use of technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
Mein added that the state’s progress towards Viksit Arunachal Pradesh would be strengthened by investing in education, science, technology and innovation, while contributing to the larger national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The programme was attended by Minister for Science & Technology Dasanglu Pul; Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom; Secretary, Science & Technology, Wayong Khimhun; Nagendra B. R., Scientist/Engineer ‘G’, U. R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), ISRO; Chau Dhanya Mungyak, Director, Science & Technology; H. Dutta, Director, APSAC; Liagi Tajo, Joint Director, APSAC; Chandan Goswami, State Coordinator, Arunachal Pradesh, NESAC; along with scientists, officials, students and other participants.
The National Space Day programme featured an interaction with ISRO scientists, talks on India’s space programmes and Moon missions, presentations on space applications for societal benefit, an exhibition, audio-visual presentations and a quiz competition for students.